The deal is won in the structure. Smart partnership terms, anticipated pitfalls, and disciplined regulatory navigation separate the deals that close from the ones that stall.
Guiding questions:
• How are sponsors structuring partnerships with investor partners and targets to align interests and protect value?
• Which M&A and deal-related pitfalls most often derail transactions between signing and close?
• What regulatory dynamics across health services, technology, defense, energy, and life sciences are reshaping deal structures in 2026?
11:00 AM → 12:00 PMTodd Boudreau (Arnold & Porter), Naomi M. Hartman, Matthew Owens
Successful exits demand foresight. Planning, positioning, and operational rigor separate winners from the rest.
Guiding questions:
• How can sponsors identify the optimal exit window for maximum return?
• Which operational improvements create the biggest value lift for buyers?
• How do you position a deal to attract competitive bidding even in a tight market?
Earnings tell the story, operations reveal the potential. While QofE confirms historical results, QofO provides a roadmap to future value creation, showing where improvements, cost efficiencies, or growth initiatives can materially increase returns.
Guiding questions:
• Which operational levers create the biggest impact post-acquisition?
• How can QofO findings influence purchase price or negotiation leverage?
• What processes reliably reveal hidden value and risks before closing?
